The cabinet is set to decide today on introducing a blended learning system, combining online and in-person classes, in metropolitan schools, excluding universities, to keep the country’s education sector running amid the ongoing fuel crisis.
Under the proposed plan, schools would hold six days of classes each week, alternating between three days online and three days in-person.
Teachers would conduct online classes from the classroom, while practical sessions would continue on-site.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon told reporters on Tuesday that the government is exploring ways to implement online classes alongside regular teaching.
“The proposal will be presented at the cabinet meeting on Thursday, and the final decision will be made by the cabinet,” he said.
Schools and colleges reopened last Sunday after a nearly 40-day holiday period for Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and other occasions. The global energy crisis, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East, has led to fuel shortages affecting Bangladesh, prompting the government to explore partial online teaching to reduce energy consumption.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all educational institutions were closed on 17 March, 2020, for almost 18 months. While online and television-based lessons were used as alternatives, studies showed limited effectiveness.
Education experts emphasize that classroom learning cannot be fully replaced, but alternative measures are necessary under current circumstances.
